Hello from a mother

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I am a new member. My son was diagnosed 2 months ago. The evaluation was a nightmare. My son was intimidated by the doctors and refused to do anything. The doctors said he has autism. But to my disappointment, the doctors didn't tell me anything other that he is on the spectrum. I was forced to educate myself and did a lot of google. I was scared by Autism Speaks, and went into denial for a short time. But my son saved us. Shortly after the diagnose, he suddenly decided learning speak is fun, and now he is picking up words everyday. He has made huge progress recently. When I see hope, I also see the Autism label is not as terrify as it seems.

During my self-education, I also realized if I was born now, I might be put on the spectrum too. I started speaking around 2 1/2. My parents were really worried. I went quickly from no talking to talking to everyone, sometimes too much. In my school years, I had at most one friend at a time, if i had any. My mom and teacher thought I was 2 years younger than other kids so it was hard to making friends (I was tested as gifted and started 2 year early). Since I did very well in grades, no one really concerned. But I know I have a lonely childhood. Things got better in college. I went to a top college that is filled with nerd or maybe autistic students, and I wasn't the worst. I was much more confident there.

My son is almost 3 so today we went to a school evaluation to prepare him for the preschool program. He did much better. He still show no interest in many tasks, but he was willing to demonstrate most things he can do and cooperated in the whole test. The therapist said she felt he knows much more, but just doesn't see the necessary to show his ability. My son seems likes the school. I think I am going to send him there. But I do have concerns, based on my experience with his current early intervention therapist. Sometime, they don't spend enough time to observe my son's progress, try to get him doing things far less for his level. For example, they ask me to teach him using picture cards when he already knows asking thing by speak the name. One therapist mentions "his disability" in every session, which makes me very uncomfortable. I mean, if you were an amputee, would you be happy about your therapist constantly reminding you your missing leg? I don't see my son's autism a disability as severe as missing a leg,and I would rather focus on how to help my son progress.

Sorry for my long post. I have been searching for people who won't take autism as a limitation on what they or their kids will achieve. I feel WP will be a wonderful place for me.

Welcome to WP!

Welcome to the Forums

L.

Pleased to meet you, new-citizen jessicaP. I think you're right about that "amputee" analogy. And I'm sure that you're going to find Wrong Planet to be a mighty "wonderful place" to be. I have. All the best to you and to your son.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Nice to meet you, jessicaP.

Welcome!!

I sure do understand your concerns with the current intervention specialist. It seems the specialists are not very interested in meeting your son's needs, and instead are using treatments that are inappropriate for his functional level. Unfortunately, this is all to common with those who labeled as autistic. If it is at all possible, I strongly recommend you stop seeing these "professionals" who are seriously underestimating your son's capabilities and never let anyone else treat him that way. If this continues it will only get worse as he gets older and he will be denied opportunities that are appropriate for his abilities. These people are only concerned with your son's "disability" and not what he can achieve and will only impose needless limitations on what options he will have later in life. Believe me, I know this because that is what happened to me. The unfortunate fact is that many people including professionals seem to think that autism is a form of mental retardation, even though some "autistics" are highly intelligent and can function as well as everybody else.

I guess though I didn't need to tell you all of that now did I since you seem to have figured that out already. A minor speech delay does not make someone disabled by itself. I'm sure if given the opportunity your son will be able to achieve as much in life as you have.

Good luck.